REGION
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
PENDLETON
East Oregonian
Page 3A
HERMISTON
Whisky Fest has 2018 Santa serves up breakfast, holiday traditions
headliner committed
By TAMMY MALGESINI
East Oregonian
Will make
announcement in
coming months
East Oregonian
The Pendleton Whisky
Music Fest reached a
verbal agreement with its
2018 headliner last week,
but won’t make an official
announcement until early
next year.
While he didn’t identify
the
entertainer,
event
co-founder Doug Corey
dropped some hints as he
spoke to the Pendleton
Rotary Club on Monday
about the upcoming third
edition of the festival.
For starters, he crossed
two big-name performers
off the list of potential acts:
Florida-Georgia Line and
Imagine Dragons.
Both groups previously
balked at the name of
the festival, Corey said,
but for different reasons.
Florida-Georgia Line has
its own line of liquor — Old
Camp Whiskey — and was
wary that the Pendleton
festival
represented
a
competing brand, while
Imagine Dragons founder
Dan Reynolds and others
in the band are practicing
members of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints and have religious
objections to headlining a
liquor-sponsored event.
With those two off the
table, Corey also offered
that the event’s organizers
and sponsors were pleased
with the success of pop/rock
group Maroon 5 in 2017
after country act Zac Brown
Band the year before, and
they “might try to alternate”
between the two genres. He
also said the 2018 artist was
currently a “hot” act with
multiple No. 1 hits in recent
years, and he used the male
pronoun in one instance
before correcting himself
with a chuckle.
Corey gave a brief
report on the growth
since the event’s first year
at Round-Up Stadium,
including
more
than
doubling the number of
food vendors from about
8 to about 18, bartenders
from 40 to 140 and adding a
concert featuring a regional
band in downtown Pend-
leton on Friday before the
main event Saturday.
He said organizers hope
to build on that success,
bringing in a more widely
known act on Friday night.
He said in 2017 about
40 percent of the concert
attendees
came
from
Eastern Oregon and Walla
Walla, and the rest were
from further away.
Getting
first-tier
performers to come to Pend-
leton has proven possible,
he said, but aligning sched-
ules and coming up with
enough money — anywhere
from $750,000 to $4 million
— means it’s not as simple
booking whoever you want.
“Just because you want
Kenny Chesney doesn’t
mean you’re going to get
Kenny Chesney,” Corey
said.
Pendleton Whisky Music
Fest is July 14, 2018.
PENDLETON
When asked if he has been
a good little boy this year,
Cory Kautz Jr. nodded his
head up and down.
Then, the 5-year-old
Hermiston boy looked at
his parents for confirmation.
When Cory Kautz Sr. and
Britni Kautz agreed that their
son had indeed been good, a
melon-sized grin broke out on
his face.
The Kautz family, which
also includes 9-month-old
Tyson, enjoyed their Saturday
morning together during
Pancakes with Santa at
the Hermiston Conference
Center. The Kautzes got their
fill of flapjacks and sausage,
browsed at several vendor
booths and played holiday
bingo, which featured green
and red M&Ms as card
markers.
However, there was an
even more pressing reason
why the family wanted to
attend the event.
“He’s so excited to see
Santa,” Britni said about her
oldest son.
When asked what he
wanted for Christmas, Cory
said, “Presents.” And, after
pausing, he added, “Big ones.”
However, Cory’s little
brother wasn’t as thrilled
about seeing the jolly old
elf. After eyeballing St.
Nick — aka John Perkins
— Tyson started to cry. After
event photographer Pat Hart
snapped a few pictures, Britni
rescued Tyson from Santa’s
lap. Cory lingered a little
longer and then Santa offered
him a candy cane.
Valerie Horton of Herm-
iston attended the event with
her granddaughter, Alivia
Estrada, and the 5-year-old’s
parents, Jessica Horton and
Marc Estrada. Valerie said
they wanted to do something
as a family and to see Santa.
Alivia let St. Nick know
that the top of her Christmas
Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini
Members of Majazzty, a chorale ensemble from Hermiston High School, pose for a
photo after performing at Saturday’s Pancakes with Santa at the Hermiston Confer-
ence Center. The public is invited to the band and choir program’s Winter Concert
Dec. 18-19 in the school’s auditorium.
Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini
Cory Kautz Jr., 5, reacts with excitement after one of
his numbers is called while playing Christmas Bingo.
The 5-year-old Hermiston boy was attending Pancakes
with Santa Saturday at the Hermiston Conference
Center with his parents, Cory Sr. and Britni Kautz, and
his 9-month-old brother, Tyson.
wish list is an L.O.L Surprise!
As Jessica described the
popular toy, Alivia added
specific details about the type
she’s hoping for.
Larry Fetter, Hermiston
Parks & Recreation director,
said partnerships with the
Hermiston Kiwanis Club and
local Key Club members were
an integral part in making the
third annual Pancakes with
Santa a success. Also, he said
personnel from the Naval
Weapons Systems Training
Facility in Boardman assisted
with serving. Fetter said the
event drew about 130 people,
which was held for a second
year at the conference center
after outgrowing The Arc
building.
“It’s starting to turn into a
local holiday tradition,” Fetter
said. “It’s such a fun event and
people look forward to it.”
Entertainment
was
provided by the band and choir
students from Hermiston High
School. After performing their
set, Majazzty choir members
headed back for a group
photo with Santa Claus. Choir
director Jordan Bemrose-Rust
said Pancakes with Santa
marked the ensemble’s 10th
special holiday performance.
The community is invited
to their final public perfor-
mances of the season Monday
and Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the
HHS auditorium, 600 S. First
St. There is no admission
charge for the Winter Concert,
which features band and choir
programs.
BRIEFLY
City to discuss
raising maintenance
height for trees
File photo
Evangelina Olivera serves up pie during the 2015
Blue Mountain Community College Christmas Eve
Dinner. Free to the community, t year’s event is Sun-
day, Dec. 24 at the Pendleton Convention Center.
BMCC serves Christmas Eve
meal at convention center
East Oregonian
The community is
invited to a free Christmas
Eve dinner presented by
Blue Mountain Community
College.
A ham dinner with all
the trimmings, including
dessert, will be served
Sunday, Dec. 24 from
4-6 p.m. at the Pendleton
Convention Center, 1601
Westgate. In addition, chil-
dren are invited to take a
special trip through Santa’s
Toy Shop. Kids will be able
to pose for photos with
Santa and pick up a free
present.
Organized by BMCC’s
Associated
Student
Government, the annual
dinner is in its 47th year.
Typically
averaging
500-600
people,
the
popular event moved to the
convention center in order
to more adequately serve
the community. Even with
the extreme weather during
the 2016 holiday season, an
additional 150-200 people
attended.
Abby Pierson, BMCC
outreach program assistant,
said between the 743 people
in attendance and the 60
volunteers that helped staff
the event, more than 800
meals were served.
“It
was
extremely
successful,” Pierson said.
The evening is made
possible through generous
donations of cash, toys and
decorations. In addition to
college staff and students,
many people from the
community volunteer their
time to help make the event
a success.
For more informa-
tion, including how to
get involved or make a
donation, call Pierson at
541-278-5921 or Austin
Shick at 541-278-5967.
PENDLETON — While
the trees lay dormant for the
winter, the Pendleton City
Council is considering raising
the minimum height of their
branches.
The council will meet
Tuesday, where members will
discuss amending an ordi-
nance raising the minimum
maintenance height for trees
adjacent to properties from
11 feet to 14 feet. According
to a staff report, the new
standard will accommodate
larger vehicles, including
city machinery like street
sweepers and vacuum trucks.
Besides finalizing a
contract with McCormack
Construction handle general
contractor and construction
management duties on the
new fire station, there aren’t
any other action items of note
in the council’s final meeting
of the year.
The council will meet at 7
p.m. at the council chambers
in city hall, 500 S.W. Dorion
Ave.
Imaginative artist-
poet to headline
First Draft
PENDLETON — A poet
and multidisciplinary artist
from Eugene is featured
during this month’s First
Draft Writers’ Series.
Sam Roxas-Chua, whose
writings have been called
“tidal and full of magical
realism,” will share from
his latest works. The free
event is Thursday at 7 p.m.
at Pendleton Center for the
Arts, 214 N. Main St. The
author-artist is said to possess
a profound imagination
and brings a unique and
distinctive voice to the
literary scene.
Roxas-Chua’s work,
which has appeared in
numerous literary magazines
and journals, has been invited
to read at local government
events and for the Oregon
State Legislature. His
collection of poems, “Diary
of Collected Summers,”
placed first in poetry during
the 2014 Missouri Review
Audio Competition. Also,
Roxas-Chua’s fall release,
“Echolalia in Script,” is
described as a truly original
marriage of visual art and
poetry.
Showcasing notable
Pacific Northwest authors,
First Draft Writers’ Series
meets the third Thursday
of each month. In addition
to the main presentation,
the gatherings include an
opportunity for up to 10 local
writers to share from their
original works during an
open mic.
For more information, call
541-278-9201 or visit www.
pendletonarts.org. To learn
more about Roxas-Chua, visit
www.samroxaschua.com.
J.D. Kindle to
perform late-night
lounge set
PENDLETON — If the
countdown to Christmas is
starting to take its toll, take
a break and let James Dean
Kindle entertain you with a
late-night lounge set.
Performing solo, the
Pendleton musician will offer
up an evening of country &
western songs, jazz standards
and sombre Christmas tunes.
The event is Saturday from
9 p.m. to midnight at Virgil’s
at Cimmiyotti’s, 137 S. Main
St., Pendleton. There is no
cover charge.
For more information,
contact Cimmiyotti’s at
541-276-7711 or Kindle at
jamesdeankindle@gmail.
com.
Heppner chamber
accepts award
nominations
HEPPNER — In
preparation for the annual
Town and Country
Community Awards, the
Heppner Chamber of
Commerce is seeking
nominations.
South Morrow County
residents are encouraged to
think about fellow citizens,
businesses and youths who
make the area a great place
to live and work. The award
categories include man,
woman, business, youth
and citizen-educator of the
year. Also, nominations for
the Lifetime Achievement
Award, which recognizes
someone with significant
contributions over a period of
time, are being sought.
Forms are available
at the Bank of Eastern
Oregon, Heppner City Hall,
Community Bank and the
chamber office. They must
be completed and submitted
by Friday, Jan. 12 to Kuhn
Law Offices, 267 N. Main
St., the chamber office, 133
N. Main St., or via email at
heppnerchamber@centurytel.
net.
The Town and Country
banquet is Thursday, Feb. 9 at
6 p.m. at the Morrow County
Fairgrounds. Tickets will be
available at a later date.
For more information,
call the chamber at 541-676-
5536.
Friday, Dec. 22 2017
3:30pm to 5:30pm
NYDENE MOORE - STATE FARM
12
DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!
30% OFF
Select Items each day!
Wed., Dec. 20th All Purses & Jewelry
Thurs., Dec. 21st All Willow Tree
Fri, Dec. 22nd All Farm & Garden
Sat., Dec. 23rd All Clothing
Sun., Dec. 24th All Christmas
*Excludes all fresh fl owers and plants.
Watch for our After Christmas Sale Dec. 26-31!
541-567-4305 • Hwy 395, Hermiston
www.thecottageonline.com
Mon-Sat 8am-8pm • Sun 12pm-5pm
395 E. Highland Ave. | Hermiston, Or.
Look who’s coming to see us. Haven’t gotten
your selfie with Santa yet? Stop by our office,
bring the kiddos and their final lists to hand
them to Santa personally. Enjoy some hot
cocoa and a cookie while you wait your
turn to see jolly Old Saint Nick.
Sponsored by
NYDENE MOORE - STATE FARM